The title for this post is supposed to be the Ilokano for "Merry Christmas to All." The usual caveats about me misspelling something apply.
December has been/ is/ will be busy. Somethings that have happened already this month: I taught Sunday school the past two Sundays at Aparri Church. That was interesting because they curriculum was already set. This meant that I was teaching on Jacob's wrestling match/ name change and Joseph being sold into slavery. Teaching the Old Testament isn't something that I do very often, so it was an interesting change. My class seemed to enjoy it, but I'm never seem to be a good judge of how well these kinds of things go.
Another thing that has already taken place this month, a basketball team representing Aparri Bible Seminary was first runner-up at the Isabela Minister's Fellowship on December 8-9, 2011 in Roxas, Isabela. I was a part of the team, and we had a lot of fun. Also important was that we developed as a team, and it is exciting to see young men improve themselves before your eyes. My stat line was a classic me stat line. 4 games, approximately 45 minutes, 2 points, 12-15 rebounds, 3-5 steals, 9 fouls, 50 screens set (including one really awesome one where the guy hit the floor)etc. A fun side note was getting kneed in the thigh about 8 times over the four games by guards jumping into me. But like I said, we had fun. We also represented the school well and I'm most proud of that. Additionally I met more new people; something that I always enjoy here.
What is happening: We are preparing for opening night of the ABS Christmas Cantata at Aparri Church. I had been practicing with the choir so I am familiar with the program, it should go really well. Especially if we can convince the basses to open their mouths and actually sing. I can relate, and I completely understand why they hate it, but they need to get over it for one night. So that will be tomorrow night, later this week the choir tour kicks off. So that is the current busy-ness.
What will be happening: Visitors from the U.S.A. and a wedding later this month (not mine), after that some traveling probably. It should be interesting and a lot of fun, but I'm sure the accompanying stress/drama will be epic because this is the Philippines.
At present present I'm most frustrated with my laptop. It will power up but won't boot up and it is driving me crazy. Sometimes I can get it to work, sometimes I can't. Saturday was a "yes," yesterday and today were "no." Such is life. I would appreciate your prayers on that matter. I thought I had figured out the issue, but apparently that isn't the case. I keep telling God that I'm listening.
So Merry Christmas!
Love,
Nick
